Woman accused of sexually assaulting her child may resolve charges without trial

By Delon Shurtz - Lethbridge Herald on April 17, 2024.

LETHBRIDGE HERALDdshurtz@lethbridgeherald.com

A Lethbridge woman accused of sexually assaulting her own child could resolve her case without the need for a trial.

Lethbridge lawyer Marcus Mueller told a judge Tuesday in Taber court of justice that he had received a proposed agreed statement of facts (ASF) from the Crown prosecutor and needs to review it with his client. An ASF typically outlines details of the case upon which both the Crown and Defence can agree and which lead to pleas and resolution without a trial.

The accused, who can’t be named to protect the identity of the child, is charged with sexual assault, sexual interference, making child pornography, distribution of child pornography, and possession of child pornography.

A Barnwell man, who also cannot be identified, faces charges of sexual assault, making child pornography, accessing child pornography, and possessing child pornography. His matter is also currently before the court.

The investigation by ALERT Internet Child Exploitation (ICE) also resulted in the rescue of a school-age child.

ICE arrested the child’s mother on Nov. 2, 2023 after searching a Lethbridge home. Officers went to the home after uncovering evidence of the alleged abuse from a case that took place earlier in the year in Barnwell and resulted in the arrest of a 41-year-old man. Police believe the two suspects were in a previous relationship and sexually assaulted the child, in addition to sharing child sexual abuse materials.

Police searched the Barnwell home on Sept. 19, following a tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) that shared information about an Alberta suspect uploading child pornography through Facebook.

A forensic analysis of computers seized from the Barnwell home identified nearly half a million photos and videos of child sexual abuse materials. Among the collection, ICE identified a series of materials that they believe are unique and were possibly created by the accused.

Further investigation revealed the materials were produced in Alberta, and ICE was able to identify a suspect and the child being abused.